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PDF 80 KBVenue: Jumbles Country Park
Contact: Sharon Montgomerie, 01772 530544, Email: sharon.montgomerie@lancashire.gov.uk
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Welcome and Apologies for Absence Minutes: All were welcomed to the meeting and introductions made.
Apologies were received from County Councillor Sean Serridge, Lancashire County Council, Councillor Kim Snape, Chorley Council, Councillor Damian Talbot, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, Councillor Adrian Lythgoe, Rossendale Borough Council and Neville Kidd, United Utilities. |
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Minutes of the Meeting Held on 15th July 2015 Minutes: The minutes of the last meeting had a number of errors to be rectified prior to the next meeting. Therefore they were amended and republished.
Lancashire Wildlife Trust – the Blanket Bogs in the WPM life bid had been unsuccessful and is unlikely to be resubmitted in the near future given the current climate, Tim Mitcham clarified. However, lots of other discussions are ongoing.
Rivington Terraced Gardens – the Stage 2 HLF bid was successful and a £3 million grant has been awarded. |
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Verbal Updates from Partners on Project Activity Minutes: The Woodland Trust is committed to long term development on the Smithills Estate and a request for an update for the next meeting would be sought. The Committee felt it would be useful to do a visit to the estate in the Summer.
Resolved: That the Trust be invited along to the next meeting. |
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Recommendations of the Task and Finish Group: The Way Forward Minutes: The Task and Finish Group have not met since the last meeting of this Committee. Members asked officers to look at the volunteering project. Fiona Cruchley talked to Bury and Bolton Councils and other partners. Without a clear and unique selling point it appears highly unlikely that the project will be funded therefore putting the bid together cannot be justified. It is very disappointing, however realistic.
LCC are currently looking at all roles and structures within the Authority and a review of Outside Bodies is being undertaken. As this Committee no longer has a budget or a decision making function it is uncertain as to whether LCC can continue to support it, ie lead officer support and clerking. The Committee is more community based and information sharing now, which is very useful and could possibly look at opening up the meeting to allow for this more. There would be a need to look at amending the Terms of Reference to allow for a change once it has been decided on how the group moves forward.
Resolved: All to send the name of an officer to Fiona Cruchley, from all the Authorities and Community Groups, who are willing and able to participate on this Committee and attend meetings.
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Presentation: The West Pennine Way Minutes: Christine Taylor from Greenmount Village Community Hiking Group presented the attached to the Committee.
Currently they are looking to find £8,000 which will go towards professional mapping and leaflets, and the Committee gave ideas as to where the extra funding could come from ie small grants from LCC, Borough Councils and Parish Councils.
For further information please visit the website http://www.westpennineway.org/ which has the map of the site, and the details of their evening walks programme this year. |
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Update on SSSI notification project Minutes: A National Review has been done of the SSSI notification project of which three bids have been allocated for consideration in 2016/17 one of which is West Pennine Moors. This is great news for the Committee and Mick Holding thanked everyone for their support in making the bid successful. Subject to current delivery resource planning, this project will now be pursued by Natural England’s local area team. A lot of the background work has already been done, however this now needs revisiting so up-to-date information can be presented to the Natural England Board. They will consider whether the site meets the criteria for notification as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and make a decision on whether or not to proceed. Subject to this decision, documents will then be submitted to the Secretary of State as well as statutory bodies, owner occupiers and interested parties in the area concerned. Once these have been received the area then becomes protected. There is a statutory four month consultation period from this submission to the Secretary of State and within an overall maximum nine month period the notification must be confirmed or withdrawn.
There is a conservation group on the Holcombe Moor Range.
Resolved: Fiona Cruchley agreed to give Mick the details of the group. |
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Any Other Business Minutes: Lindsey Blackstock stated that there are increasing problems with quad bikes on the moors especially at Rivington, Yarrow Valley and Denom Quarry. United Utilities have also come across incidents too. Section 59 notices have been issued and the police are monitoring it. Similar issues with mountain bikes going on the grassed areas are increasing too.
With regards the Countryside Service and the Authority's proposal, this is now out for consultation and everyone was urged to look at it and reply. |
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Date of Next Meeting It is currently proposed for the next meeting of the West Pennine Moors Area Management Committee to take place on Wednesday 13th July at 10am, venue to be determined. Minutes: Wednesday, 13 July 2016 at 10.00am, the Barn at Cuerden Valley Park, Bamber Bridge.
This meeting will identify this Committee going forward and look at revising the Terms of Reference. |